GUEST COMMENTARY/NEWS ANALYSIS: Blair Warns Bush About Intelligence Leaks in U.S.

By Jim Kouri

During a telephone conversation between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and President George W. Bush regarding the terrorist plot and arrests in the United Kingdom, Blair warned Bush about possible intelligence leaks in the U.S., according to Fox News.

There is fear that the ongoing investigation into a large-scale terrorist attack on airline flights between the UK and US will be compromised by leakers and the American news media, who in the past have compromised national security.

Fox News said that President Bush assured Blair that he warned his intelligence and law enforcement directors to secure classified information involving the UK terrorism investigation.

So far, Britain’s Scotland Yard has arrested over 20 suspected terrorists involved in a plot to use liquid explosives on airline flights leaving London’s Heathrow Airport destined for US cities.

For some US officials, Blair’s reservations about US agencies’ ability to keep secrets is an embarrassment. Blair’s fears stem from a series of news stories that have exposed US counterterrorism operations and the potential for politically-motivated leaks.

Meanwhile, according to a source in the FBI, the directors of the CIA, FBI, NSA and other agencies have been briefed about the UK situation by White House officials. During the briefing, they were cautioned to prevent any breaches in the security of classified information.

Britain’s Sky News reports that President Bush was apprised of the ongoing UK investigation of the terrorist days ago as were members of the FBI counterterrorism unit and the CIA.

One intelligence source told this writer that there is apprehension on the part of foreign intelligence services to share their information with US agencies based on the history of leaks in the United States by politicians and intelligence operatives with a political agenda.

“Would any sane intelligence chief trust someone such as Senator Patrick “Leaky” Leahy with their secrets?” he asked.

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Jim Kouri is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org). He’s former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed “Crack City” by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. Kouri has appeared as on-air commentator for more than 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com. Kouri’s own website is located at http://jimkouri.U.S.

 

GUEST COMMENTARY: Vacancy: A Catalyst to Make Global Trade Fair

By Sir Ronald Sanders

The Commonwealth is a multinational organisation that is little known outside of its 53 member States. Yet, it has the potential to fill a big vacancy in today’s world: the need for a catalyst to restart the suspended global trade negotiations with an emphasis on development.

Negotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) effectively collapsed on July 24, 2006 when six lead countries failed to bridge major differences amongst themselves particularly over agricultural subsidies. The six were: the United States, the European Union (EU), Japan, Brazil, Australia and India.

Although trumpeted as a “development” round since November 2001 when the negotiations began, the talks amounted to nothing more than manoeuvring for national competitive advantage particularly by the US and the EU, although Brazil and India – the two large developing countries in the mix – have not been shy in advancing their own interests, often claiming concessions that should rightly be accorded only to poor developing countries or Small States.

It was not until last November, four years after the negotiations started, that a commitment was given to provide poor countries with duty-free and quota free access for their crucial exports. Of course, this commitment is an empty one at the present time, since, in the absence of a settled agreement, nothing is being implemented.

What the WTO negotiations needs is a wide measure of agreement amongst a large number of countries on a blue print for re-starting the talks and taking them to conclusion. The blue print should arise from a study by trade experts that focuses on opening markets globally while providing for the development needs of poor countries and small states. In particular, the study should examine how developing countries can minimise transaction costs and lessen the impact on their business sectors through the pacing and sequencing of liberalisation.

The study should also take full account of the difficulties that now exist for the US and the EU on agricultural subsidies and propose practical ways of dealing with them.

The Commonwealth is in a unique position to fill the vacancy for a catalyst that could make the WTO negotiations meaningful for all nations, in particular, poor countries and small States.

With 53 countries accounting for 30% of the world’s population and some 20% of its international trade and investment, Commonwealth trade is well over $2 trillion. Commonwealth members include some of the world’s richest nations such as Britain and Canada; some of the poorest such as Bangladesh and Guyana; some of the larger developing countries – India, South Africa and Nigeria among them; some of the South East Asian “tigers” such as Singapore and Malaysia; and many small island states like those in the Caribbean and the Pacific.

Further, the Heads of Government of these countries have long acknowledged that “the Commonwealth can play a dynamic role in promoting trade and investment so as to enhance prosperity, accelerate economic growth and development and advance the eradication of poverty in the twenty-first century”. They said so when they met in the United Kingdom in 1997.

And, when they last convened in Malta in November last year, they pledged their “global influence” to achieve progress in the WTO talks.

Members of the Commonwealth are also members of the EU, the African Caribbean and Pacific Group, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Association of South East Asian Nations, and the Organisation of American States to name a few.

Their influence, if exercised by their member States, is indeed “global”, and consensus by them that is advanced vigorously in the other geographical and political groups to which they belong stands a real chance of getting a positive hearing.

A former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Sir Shridath Ramphal, famously said: “The Commonwealth cannot negotiate for the world, but it can help the world to negotiate”.

What has been missing so far in the WTO negotiations since 2001 is consensus. The talks have been characterised by mistrust and suspicion, aggravated by the way in which they have been conducted with only a small number of powerful countries meeting behind closed doors to hammer out deals in their national interest that they then try to convince others to accept.

If consensus can be achieved by the 53 Commonwealth countries, it would be enormously beneficial to the building of consensus in the WTO.

There are several precedents for the Commonwealth to take action now that global trade talks have stalled at the WTO. When apartheid gripped South Africa and the major nations of the world were divided on how to tackle the issue, the Commonwealth played a major role in uniting the world’s governments behind a strategy that eventually saw apartheid crumble; when debt crippled development in many states throughout the world and crushed millions of people in deep suffering, the Commonwealth helped to devise a global strategy for debt relief.

Further, expert reports commissioned by the Commonwealth on a range of issues including the vulnerability of small states, democracy and development have informed the policies and work of governments as well as international institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

In this context, an initiative by the Commonwealth to produce a blueprint for moving forward the present stalled international trade negotiations should be welcomed and supported by all, especially the WTO Secretariat.

Such an initiative, however, requires the active participation of trade ministers from countries such as Canada, India, Australia and South Africa. One of these four – or indeed all of them – should take on the mantle of leadership on this issue and give the Commonwealth Secretariat the mandate to organise an expert study followed by a Commonwealth Trade Ministers meeting to develop the required consensus.

The experts to produce the study exist throughout the Commonwealth. From the Caribbean, for instance, the Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM) can make a meaningful contribution to a blue print for action in which the development dimension is prominent.

And, has occurred with previous studies, there is every reason why the WTO Secretariat, the World Bank and the IMF should provide both financial and human resources to help produce such a study.

A catalyst is required now to help shape a new approach to the suspended WTO negotiations talks. Delivery of a development dividend should be central to their objectives for, as the current Commonwealth Secretary-General, Don McKinnon, has observed: “800 million Commonwealth citizens subsisting on less that $1 each day would countenance nothing less”.

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Sir Ronald Sanders is a business executive and former Caribbean Ambassador to the World Trade Organisation who publishes widely on Small States in the global community.

Responses to: ronaldsanders29@hotmail.com

Wolfe: British Foiling of Plot Shows Terrorism Threat is Real; Islamic Fanatics the Problem, Not Israel, as Rahall Charges

From U.S. Rep. Candidate Kim Wolfe Release

Huntington, WV   – West Virginia’s Third District Congressional Candidate Kim Wolfe is “not at all surprised” by this morning’s arrest by British authorities of 21 individuals who were involved in a “well-planned” plot  to use liquid explosives smuggled on flights in carry on bags to “blow U.S. bound airplanes out of the air”. 

   
Scotland Yard reported that ”we think we prevented mass murder on an unimaginable scale”, and U.S. Counterterrorism Officials called the plot “the real deal”, and referred to its scope as having “global dimension.”

While the planned attack was suggestive of an Al Qaeda plot, the investigation continues.  “We cannot assume that the threat has been completely thwarted”, said Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff.  Sheriff Wolfe concurred, and stressed, “As I have said before, the fight against terrorism is an ongoing international fight.   Today’s major battle is staged in the Middle East, though skirmishes continue all over the world.  This morning’s attack could have been devastating.  Tomorrow’s battle could be in Europe, Asia or right here on American soil, if we don’t put a stop to it.  Hopefully, this morning’s thwarted attack will remind us that this is the single most important issue facing us.”

 A member of the U.S. Anti-Terrorist Advisory Council and the Advisory Committee to the National Task Force on Community Preparedness and Response, Wolfe, who is the Sheriff of Cabell County, WV and a lifetime law enforcement officer, feels strongly that incumbent representative Nick Rahall’s voting record is “soft on crime, border security and terrorism.”

 Wolfe said:  “My opponent, Mr. Rahall, has a dismal record of votes which are soft on crime, drugs and border security, and other matters which are critical to protecting our citizens from the threat of terrorism.  Just two weeks ago, he voted against the House resolution to denounce terrorism and support Israel’s right to defend itself, following his anti-Israel pattern.  He also voted against continuing valuable intelligence gathering and voted not to prevent the tipping off of Mexicans about the Minuteman Project to protect our borders.  Last year he voted ‘no’ on federalizing rules for driver licenses to hinder terrorists, ‘no’ on military recruitment on college campuses, and previously voted against reporting illegal aliens who received hospital treatment.  He received a 0% rating by The Federation for American Immigration Reform indicating ‘a voting record loosening immigration.’” 

 In February of 2003, Rahall was one of only two House members to vote against a resolution commending Israel for its recent election, and in June of 2003, he joined only four others in opposing another resolution supporting Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorist attacks.   Rahall traces his ancestry to Lebanon, and is the most active lawmaker of Arab descent in Middle Eastern affairs.  Rahall and another congressman of Arab descent have gone against State Department policy on travels to Syria, and Rahall met with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat whom “he knew for years” according to a USA Today Campaign 2004 candidate profile.

Wolfe concluded:  “I believe his voting record shows a lack of understanding or regard for our fundamental safety and security, and does not reflect the core beliefs of the vast majority of southern West Virginians.”   “The first role of government is to protect life, liberty and property.  The focus of our leadership in Washington should first be to fulfill those fundamental responsibilities.”   “We cannot let him sweep this under the rug, and we must not let him turn this into a partisan political issue.  The war against terror crosses all boundaries:  political, religious, cultural and geographical,” said Wolfe.    

Referring to Representative Rahall’s comments at a Democratic Rally in Raleigh County in which Rahall twice called Republicans “evil”, Wolfe remarked, “Terrorists are evil.  Hezbollah is evil.  To reduce any important issue to political pandering is unconscionable.  We’ve got to get past the ‘Democrats versus Republicans’ thing, and get back to a ‘Right versus Wrong’ perspective.  There are members on both sides of the aisle who are willing to put partisan pettiness aside and do the right thing.  Obviously, Mr. Rahall is seriously out of touch with how real West Virginians feel.  The right to protect one’s family and home is fundamental.”  “I ask all West Virginians to join with me in praying for the defenders of liberty from many nations who are fighting a very real battle between good and evil.”                                                     

                

 

GUEST COMMENTARY/NEWS ANALYSIS: UK Aircraft Terror Plot: Airport Security Evaluation in U.S.

By  Jim Kouri

 

Federal intelligence agencies have reported that in the past, terrorists have considered using general aviation aircraft (all aviation other than commercial and military) for terrorist acts, and that the September 11th terrorists learned to fly at general aviation flight schools.

The events unfolding in the United Kingdom with regard to a large-scale terrorist threat to airline security, including the possible use of liquid explosives, reveals the need to constantly review security within the aviation sector.

The questions many security experts now ask include:

(1) What actions has the federal   government taken to identify and assess threats to, and vulnerabilities of, general aviation; and communicate that information to stakeholders?

(2) What steps has the federal government taken to strengthen general aviation security, and what, if any, challenges does the government face; and

(3) What steps have non-federal stakeholders taken to enhance the security of general aviation?

The federal and state governments and general aviation industry all play a role in securing general aviation operations. While the federal government provides guidance, enforces regulatory requirements, and   provides some funding, the bulk of the responsibility for assessing and enhancing security falls on airport operators.

Although Transportation Security Administration has issued a limited threat assessment of general aviation, and the FBI identified that terrorists have considered using general aviation to conduct attacks, a systematic assessment of threats has not been conducted. In
addition, to assess airport vulnerabilities, TSA plans to issue a self-assessment tool for airport operators’ use, but it does not plan to conduct on-site vulnerability assessments at all general aviation airports due to the cost and vastness of the general aviation network.

Instead, TSA intends to use a systematic and analytical risk management process, which is considered a best practice, to assess the threats and vulnerabilities of general aviation. However, TSA has not yet developed an implementation plan for its risk management efforts.

TSA and the Federal Aviation Administration have taken steps to address security risks to general aviation through regulation and guidance, but still face challenges in their efforts to further enhance security. For example, TSA has promulgated regulations requiring
background checks of foreign candidates for U.S. flight training schools and has issued security guidelines for general aviation airports. However, investigators found limitations in the process used to conduct compliance inspections of flight training programs.

In addition, FAA, in coordination with TSA and other federal agencies, has implemented airspace restrictions over certain landmarks and special events. However, FAA has not established written policies or procedures for reviewing and revalidating the need for flight restrictions that limit access to airspace for indefinite periods of time and could negatively
affect the general aviation industry.

Non-federal general aviation stakeholders have partnered with the federal government and have individually taken steps to enhance general aviation security. For example, industry associations developed best practices and recommendations for securing general aviation, and have partnered with TSA to develop security initiatives such as the Airport Watch Program, similar to a neighborhood watch program. Some state governments have also provided funding for enhancing security at general aviation airports, and many airport operators GAO surveyed took steps to enhance security such as installing fencing and increasing police patrols.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), along with other federal agencies, state governments, and the general aviation industry, plays a role in securing general aviation operations.

While the federal government provides guidance on threats and vulnerabilities, enforces regulatory requirements, and provides some funding assistance, because
of competing needs of commercial aviation security funding and the vastness and diversity of the general aviation network, the bulk of the responsibility for assessing and enhancing security falls on airport operators.

This public/private partnership has been strengthened following the terrorist attacks of September 11, in part, through the teaming of TSA and general aviation industry associations by means of the Aviation Security Advisory Committee, which, among other things, helped develop security guidelines for general aviation airports based on industry’s best practices.

Sources: Transportation Security Agency, Department of Homeland Security, American Society for Industrial Security, National Security Institute, National Association of Chiefs of Police

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Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police and he’s a staff writer for the New Media Alliance (thenma.org). He’s former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed “Crack City” by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for several major organizations. Kouri has appeared as on-air commentator for more than 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc.  His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com. Kouri’s own website is located at http://jimkouri.U.S.

                      

PARALLEL UNIVERSE: This Year Marks Centennial of Dimitri Shostakovich, a Favorite Composer of Mine; I Love Those 15 String Quartets, His Stirring 13th Symphony (‘Babi Yar’)

By David M. Kinchen
Editor, Huntington News Network

Dimitri Shostakovich

Highland Park, IL  – I celebrated the centennial of the birth of the great Russian composer Dimitri Shostakovich (1906-1975) by attending a July 17, 2006 concert at the Ravinia Festival Music Center, where the renowned Emerson String Quartet performed his 13th, 14th and 15th String Quartets.

Classical music has always been a major part of my life and this was an opportunity of a lifetime. I’m listening to Shostokovich as I write this.

The Emerson is one of the world’s premier chamber music ensembles and the century-old Ravinia in Highland Park is the gem of summertime music venues in the greater Chicago area. Although I grew up not far from Chicago and worked and lived there the first five or six years out of college in the 1960s, this was – oddly enough – the first time I’d ever been to Ravinia. My sister Natasha Yuhas and I took the Metra train on one of the hottest days of the year for the concert, which was held in the air conditioned Martin Theatre on the festival grounds. She provided the tickets and I paid for our transportation.

The Emerson String Quartet

The train stops right at the festival grounds, prompting the comment by the great English conductor Sir Thomas Beecham – famous for his humorous comments — that Ravinia is the only railroad station in the world with its own symphony orchestra. Ravinia has been the summer home of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since the mid 1930s. Beecham (1879-1961) was a guest conductor of the CSO when he made his comment. Train sounds become a part of every concert since the festival entrance is so close to the train tracks.

Actually, there’s no station today, just a platform that isn’t even sheltered from the elements. More about that later. The performance was everything I expected and more. I’d never seen a string quartet where the two violinists and the violist stood while performing – with only the Cellist sitting – but the acrobatics and gyrations necessary to perform these quartets make this unusual posture completely understandable. The Emerson String Quartet was formed 30 years ago and consists of Eugene Drucker (Violin); Philip Setzer (Violin); Lawrence Dutton (Viola); David Finckel (Cello).

The Ravinia Arch

Just before the end of the 15th Quartet, I noticed several people leaving the theatre. They were rushing to meet the 9:38 p.m. train to Chicago. When we left the festival grounds, we discovered that the next train to Chicago wouldn’t arrive until about 11 p.m. The group waiting for the train included a number of high-spirited young music fans. I called Liz in Hinton on my cell phone and was informed by this dedicated Weather Channel watcher that a storm was headed in the direction of Chicago. Sure enough! About 10:30 p.m. the rains came, and few of us were carrying umbrellas. We would have welcomed the sheltered platforms that I had noticed in old-time Ravinia pictures. The young people enjoyed the end of the heat wave, splashing around in the water just outside the Ravinia arch. Finally the train came and we squished our way aboard. Music should be joyful noise and we had plenty of that on the train back to Chicago.

For more on Dimitri Shostokovich, his life and conflicts with Stalin and his marvelous music, check out the excellent Wikipedia entry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dmitri_Shostakovich

Ravinia Web site: http://www.ravinia.org

Emerson String Quartet: www.emersonquartet.com